Woman killed by own car

A 56-year-old woman was run over and dragged several feet by her own car on Wednesday after she crawled underneath it to inspect the engine.

Santa Monica Police officers responded to a call of a pedestrian trapped under a vehicle at the intersection of 11th and Pearl streets around noon. When officers arrived, they found the woman and provided assistance.

Santa Monica firefighters arrived and rendered aid. She was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead, police said.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the driver was having mechanical problems with the vehicle’s starter. She crawled under the front of the car and started it by touching the starter solenoid with a screwdriver. The vehicle, which was left in drive with the emergency brake off, rolled forward and onto the woman.

She was dragged a short distance and run over by the right front wheel. Officers said the car was a 1995 Buick Regal.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call traffic investigator Chris Dawson at (310) 458-8954 or the Watch Commander at (310) 458-8427 (24 hours). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call the SMPD Tip Line at (310) 458-8449 (24 hours).